Congressman Greg Murphy emphasized the importance of H-1B visas in addressing the physician shortage in the U.S., a stance that ignited criticism and highlighted a contentious debate.
Congressman Greg Murphy, a Republican from North Carolina’s 3rd district, recently drew significant attention for his comments regarding the use of H-1B visas to address critical shortages in the U.S. healthcare system. Murphy, who is also a practicing physician, argued that foreign-trained medical graduates play an essential role, particularly in underserved rural areas, where the physician shortfall is most acute.
In a post on X, dated August 8, Murphy stated, “H1-B Visas are critical for helping alleviate the severe physician shortage this nation faces. We cannot train enough American Doctors fast enough. We can’t let lack of knowledge of the importance of this program affect patient care.”
This assertion by the 62-year-old lawmaker comes against the backdrop of an ongoing immigration debate in the United States, further inflamed by policy discussions under the Trump administration. Notably, information reported by The New York Times on July 26 cited Joseph Edlow, the then-new Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, who indicated that the administration might implement stricter H-1B guidelines.
Despite Murphy’s stance, his comments met with a wave of criticism, particularly on social media, where many disputed his claims. Several responses, predominantly from Trump supporters, challenged the notion that H-1B visas are indispensable for addressing physician shortages.
One user commented on the discrepancy between Murphy’s statement and the actual utilization of H-1B visas in North Carolina. “Congressman says H-1B is ‘critical’ to fix the doctor shortage. Reality: In NC, 97.7% of H-1Bs aren’t medical, and most of the 2.3% ‘medical’ roles aren’t doctors at all,” read one such comment.
Others highlighted that American medical graduates often face barriers to obtaining residency positions, suggesting that foreign medical graduates are prioritized over local students. “Actually, H-1Bs are not critical for the medical system,” one user argued. “We have American medical students who are denied residency programs because the medical establishment limits them.”
Such sentiments were echoed by individuals who contended that the residency cap set by Congress unfairly limits opportunities for American graduates, while universities allegedly favor international students who pay higher tuition fees. “This is demonstrably false. Universities have been discriminating against U.S. citizens because international students usually pay over double in-state tuition,” stated another commenter.
Another critical voice argued, “Nope. We are done with politicians putting Americans last. You want less qualified doctors instead of funding more residencies or ensuring that American students are given priority in school over foreigners.”
The U.S. faces a complex challenge in addressing its physician shortage, with arguments for and against the H-1B visa program reflecting broader tensions between immigration policy and domestic workforce development.